Holla At Me Raider Nation!
Let's start with the obvious; The Raiders find themselves in an 0-2 hole. Mind you, I don't think that this is a hole that the team can't dig its self out of. However, if the Raiders want to make it to the playoffs (that's right I said playoffs) their going to have to lose less then the eight games they lost last season.
The Raiders are going to need to cut that number from eight to something more manageable, like five, or six games at the most. With the team having already lost two games you don't need to be a math major to see that the Raiders can only afford (for lack of a better word) to lose three, or at the most four more games. With the season just under way, and with the team still having some tough games ahead, one can understand why there might be just a bit of disappointment within Raider Nation.
First things first. The Raiders need to get to .500 before they can start thinking playoffs; That all starts with a WIN this Sunday. Sunday against the Steelers, the Raiders will have an opportunity to make up for the debacle that took place opening night.

Now before I go any further, I get the feeling I need to let everyone know that I'm not here to make any disparaging remarks about Reggie McKenzie, Dennis Allen, or our beloved Raiders. That's not my job; My job is to bring you the truth, even if it is painful to read (not to mention painful to type).

Now, if you're looking for me to inundate you with statistics, and percentages, you my friend are following the wrong writer. I don't do numbers; Except for wins and losses. Moreover, I don't need the stats to tell me that whatever the Raiders are doing on offense isn't working.

A) Greg Knapp:

Many in Raider Nation did not want this new era to be brought in with Raider re-tread Greg Knapp. After all Greg was shall we say less than successful in his first tenure with the team. I do have to say that I personally have no love for Greg Knapp's play calling ability (or lack there of).

Moreover, we all remember watching the Raiders offense under Hue Jackson and Al Saunders; comparing that to what's gong on now, you can't be surprised to find that some people in Raider Nation want to see Greg Knapp - sleeping with the fishes. Knapp could, (and probably should) find himself in a bit of trouble if the Raiders offense fails to produce.

Speaking of Production, or lack there of we have to talk about

B) The Raiders running game:

Truth be told, the problem isn't with Raider running back Darren McFadden; The problem stems from the zone blocking scheme that the staff has implemented. Last season the Raiders lined up, they snapped the ball, and they smashed the man in front of them! In turn, both Mike Bush and Darren McFadden has a good year running the ball. This season, we're doing something different, and thus far, different hasn't turned out to be better.

Now as I stated earlier, I'm not here to bad mouth the Raiders coaching staff and management. However, if the Raiders have another lack luster performance more than a few people are going to be wondering (out loud) why Oakland turned away from what was so successful for them last season.

On a related topic, could someone introduce our new/old play caller to Marcel Reece? Reece is another member of the Raiders rushing corps who was extremely successful last season; However, this year seems to be M.I.A. (missing in action).

C) Utilize the tight end:

After watching future H.O.F. (hall of famer) Tony Gonzales help his team (Falcons) hang a loss on Denver, Raider Nation had to be thinking about their own tight end situation. There's been a great deal of chatter regarding Carson Palmer's production. Well besides improving the production of the running game, getting the tight end (any tight end) more involved in the offense will go a long way towards helping the quarterback, and the Raider offense in general (ask Tony Romo how important the tight end is - if you don't believe me).

On the defensive side of the ball, and with Ben Roethlisberger on his way to Oakland, there's only one thing for this writer to worry about; our defensive secondary. If this unit didn't have a neon sign flashing Pick-On-Me before, they undoubted do now (especially with Mike  Wallace & Co. headed to the bay area).

I know that you've heard about the team thinking of moving Mike Huff to corner. Make no mistake, I hope that moving Huff to the corner position is a move that pans out. However, let's remember that Huff playing corner is a kin to Travis Goethel long snapping; He played the position, but that was a long time ago.

Best case scenario, the defensive line gets to Roethlisberger first with sacks, hurries and pressures, which help to take some pressure off of our suspect secondary.

The game against Miami was a test for the Raiders; A test which the team failed to pass. We can only hope that the Raiders have learned enough from failure, to help them win (because this game against Pittsburg is a MUST win situation). I can't see the Raiders going 0-3 but still wining the division, or making the playoffs.

Before the season began, Raider Nation was filled with hope. The team still has an opportunity to reach my projected record of 2-2 at the bye week. However, if the Raiders have a record of 1-3, (remember there's a road game in Denver next week) or, (I hate to even think this) 0-4 the whispers surrounding the decisions made by the management and coaching staff are only going to get louder.

Make no mistake, I LOVE AL DAVIS!! always have, always will. Moreover, I LOVE THE OAKLAND RAIDERS! Therefore, my main concern (as Al's was) is the future greatness of the Raiders. With that said, it's in everyone's best interest that the teams management and coaching staff turn out to be successful. The main problem these gentlemen are facing is that for the last two weeks not only have the Raiders lost the game, they were embarrassed in the process.

Expectations, produced from last seasons success, combined with the glowing reports made about every move from McKenzie, Allen & company had Raider Nation at the very least expecting to see a better performance from the team; Win, Lose, or Draw.

Carson Palmer, Darren McFadden, and the Raiders offense was explosive last season under the guidance of Hue Jackson, and Al Saunders; Thus far Dennis Allen, and Greg Knapp have yet to give Raider Nation any real reason to feel inspired (see the play calling in that Miami game if you have any questions).

However, the state that Oakland finds its self in can't totally be blamed on Mckenzie, Allen and company; After all they don't actually play the game. It would be good if some of these players who've been given an opportunity to perform, would do just that! The Raiders not only need to look for opportunities, they need to capitalize upon them. A victory at home against Pittsburg would help the Raiders greatly in their efforts to silence their critics, appease their fans, and enjoy some personal vindication.